Adams drew attention today to a House bill that would send $5 million to Babeu to allow the Pinal County Sheriff's Office to purchase equipment for an anti-smuggling task force, but some railbirds speculated the move was less about fighting smuggling than it was about congressional jockeying with Pearce.

In a press release, Pearce called his decision a "difficult choice between two outstanding men," although some outsiders predicted that White's pro-McCain advocacy in southern Arizona would harm his chances.